An uncritical one line report in Mike Allen's 'Playbook' column at Politico this morning says:"PRESIDENT OBAMA is taping his NCAA picks today, and they’ll be revealed tomorrow on ESPN."With our top Asian ally Japan facing an economic meltdown on top of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant crises--an economic meltdown that is already affecting the U.S. and global economies; with the Middle East in flames; with the U.S. government on the verge of bankruptcy; with the U.S. still involved in two wars, Barack Obama is focused on being the cool guy with the jocks in school by being filmed picking...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama says the passion and dignity demonstrated by the people of Egypt has been an inspiration. He says young protesters will reach their destiny. In brief remarks at the White House Tuesday evening, the president said, "We hear your voices."

Obama reiterates calls for parties to play nice in weekly address By Julian Pecquet - 01/15/11 06:00 AM ET President Obama in his weekly address built on his Tucson memorial service plea for both parties to work together to meet the nation's challenges as the House resumes work this coming week. The president said the reaction to last weekend's shooting that left six people dead and injured Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and 12 others was a reminder that "we are one American family, 300 million strong." "As business resumes," he said, "I look forward to working together in that same...

"At the memorial service for the victims of the shooting in Tucson, Arizona, President Obama said that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords opened her eyes for the first time after his (Wednesday) visit. It was the first time she had opened her eyes since the shooting that wounded her Saturday outside a Tucson grocery store. "We all started crying," Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) said in a phone interview from Air Force One later Wednesday night. "Other than the birth of my children, it was the most incredible moment I have ever had." Also in the room were Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand...

President Obama will focus his speech at a memorial service in Tucson on Wednesday evening on the victims of the attack and on the idea of service to the country, avoiding any overt commentary on the debate over violence and the nation’s political culture. Instead, Mr. Obama, who was still working with his speechwriters on his remarks on Tuesday, will call for unity among Americans, while trying to honor the victims, including their service to government, as an example to all Americans. He will share the anecdotes about the victims that he has learned during private phone calls to the...

EXCERPTS "At the start of 2011, we’re still just emerging from a once-in-a-lifetime recession that’s taken a terrible toll on millions of families," Obama said. "We all have friends and neighbors trying to get their lives back on track." (snip) "In a few days, a new Congress will form, with one house controlled by Democrats, and one house controlled by Republicans – who now have a shared responsibility to move this country forward," Obama said. "And here’s what I want you to know: I’m willing to work with anyone of either party who’s got a good idea and the commitment...

Barack Obama lets his faith show By: Carol E. Lee December 28, 2010 04:28 AM EST HONOLULU — President Obama’s trip to church Sunday followed a steady rebirth over the past three months in public expressions of his Christianity. Obama has publicly mentioned his “Christian faith” more times in the past three months than he has over the past year. He has more frequently cited passages of the Bible, including repeated references to the spirit of Genesis 4:9 — “I am my brother’s keeper; I am my sister’s keeper” — which was a mainstay of Obama’s 2010 campaign stump speech....

"The president is making phone calls saying 'this is the end' of his presidency if he doesn't get this bad deal," Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon) told CNN. "I don't feel that way. I think this is potentially the end of his possibility of getting reelected if he gets this deal," DeFazio added.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A testy President Barack Obama on Tuesday expressed frustration at his own Democrats for attacking him over his tax-cut deal with Republicans, who he called uncompromising "hostage takers." Obama found himself in an unusual position a day after sealing a major tax-cut agreement -- praised by Republican opponents and denounced by liberal Democrats who felt he violated a pledge that helped get him elected in 2008. Liberals accused him of caving to Republican demands by agreeing to extend all the Bush-era tax cuts, even those for wealthier Americans, instead of their preference for limiting the tax cuts...

"I don't think about Sarah Palin," President Barack Obama tells Barbara Walters in a White House interview. Obama said he is concentrating on being "the best possible president" rather than the 2012 election, ABC News said in a preview of the conversation. "Obviously Sarah Palin has a strong base of support in the Republican Party, and I respect those skills," he said. "But I spend most of my time right now on how I can be the best possible president. And my attitude has always been from the day I started this job that if I do a good job...

(Reuters) - If President Barack Obama is not yet convinced that his international star power has faded, his next round of transatlantic summitry should clear up any lingering doubts. Coming off a marathon Asia trip where Obama often found himself rebuffed by fellow world leaders, he will head to Europe this week where the agenda will be clouded by a growing divide over economic strategy and a sense of neglect among traditional U.S. allies.His challenge is to reassure European partners that, despite political weakness at home and embarrassing setbacks abroad, he remains committed to better cooperation on issues ranging from...

New Delhi, November 1, 2010: Not an inch of the ITC Maurya Sheraton will be without surveillance when US President Barack Obama arrives for a two – night stay. The luxury hotel is swarming with Delhi Police commandos a week before he checks in with wife Michelle. Obama arrives for a Nov 7 – 9 stay at the Presidential Suite of the south – west Delhi hotel and security is visibly tight even though police and hotel staff refuse to divulge details. Police commandos in combat gear have been stationed in Mercedes vans. Also fortifying the hotel are private guards...

HONOLULU (BNO NEWS) -- President Barack Obama and his family will be returning to the island of Hawaii to spend Christmas, according to a news report on early Saturday. The Honolulu-based Star-Advertiser reported, citing three unidentified sources, that Obama would return to Hawaii in December. It would be Obama's third year on Hawaii in a row during Christmas. Last year, the First Family spent 11 days at their vacation home in Kailua. The Star-Advertiser did not report how long Obama would stay this year. Obama was born in Hawaii.

Maybe he wants to help “restore sanity.” President Obama will make his first appearance as president on the comedy program “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” next week, days ahead of the midterm election, a White House spokesman said. The interview’s timing is also notable because it comes just before Mr. Stewart’s “Rally to Restore Sanity” in Washington, D.C. (Actually, the rally was renamed the “Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear” last week because Mr. Stewart’s satiric colleague Stephen Colbert will also be there.) Mr. Stewart is bringing “The Daily Show” to D.C. next week, culminating in the rally on...

Michelle Obama hits New York today — and the fashion world is aflutter. The First Lady is coming to town to attend a private Democratic fund-raiser at Donna Karan’s Upper West Side apartment, where she will mingle and chat with many of th

President Obama will answer questions about the economy at a town hall meeting that is scheduled to air at 12:00 PM on CNBC today. Obama has been working overtime to defend his administration's record on the economy, firing back at Republicans who want to blame Democrats for the bad economy. The President has been on the offensive over the past few weeks, accusing GOP lawmakers of blocking key aid to small businesses and tax cuts for the middle class.